Our Practitioners

Coralie Holding – Nurse Practitioner – Mental Health and AOD and Practice Owner has 37 years experience working in a range of senior clinical and managerial settings in both public and private mental health practice. Coralie completed an MBA followed by a Masters – Nurse Practitioner, commencing Clear Thinking Mental Health Group with an aim to provide comprehensive multidisciplinary mental health treatment and support for a range of mental health and psychological conditions, across all age demographics. Treatment includes biological treatment and psychological therapies.

Coralie is experienced in managing major mental health conditions including biological and psychological treatment of psychotic illness. Management of high prevalence disorders including anxiety, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, personality disorders, self-harming and suicidal behaviours, advanced suicide prevention, substance misuse and addiction, adjustment disorders, relationship, family or carer stress, workplace stress & conflict is also provided. All treatment is evidence based and can include a range of focused psychological therapies including CBT, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Interpersonal and Strengths based Therapy and DBT.

Coralie can provide assistance in the management of acute or persistent mental health conditions and provides mental health secondary consultation to a range of services within the Ballarat region. Workplace training and supervision can be arranged.

There are no session limits on mental health management. Medicare and NDIS registered provider.

Caz has a Bachelor of Psychology degree and 5 years’ experience in phone counselling with Lifeline, which gives her a firm understanding in assisting clients and scheduling consultations to meet their needs.

Marcia Hatcher – Credentialed Mental Health Nurse has 32 years’ experience working as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse across a range of settings and in public mental health.

Marcia can provide evidence-based practice and family inclusive treatment for patients with serious mental disorders.

Marcia provides sessions as a contractor at Headspace Ballarat and is a registered provider with Medicare and NDIS.

Jacqui White – Psychologist is a registered psychologist with a Masters in Occupational Psychology and 20 years of experience working with a broad range of clients promoting whole person health and well-being with a strength based focus.

Jacqui has used positive psychology since the benefit of its practical application was realised. She weaves this into her practice either in a coaching, strategic partnering, mentoring or counselling capacity as she is committed to enhancing individual well-being. Her expertise in, and passion for, helping individuals reach their full potential ensures a challenging and inspirational partnership is formed. Jacqui has experience in assisting people realise the benefits of breathing and relaxation techniques, smoking cessation, useful sleep techniques, mindfulness, and a range of therapeutic strategies to ensure sessions are tailored to individual needs.

Jacqui works with children, couples, adolescents and adults. Jacqui is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and a registered provider with Medicare, WorkSafe, TAC, private health insurance and NDIS.

Dr Lisa Ciechomksi – Psychologist and Yoga Instructor is a registered psychologist with a Masters in Developmental Psychology, and a PhD in the nature of anxiety in children with disabilities and has been practicing since 2001.

Lisa has been teaching yoga and meditation for 6 years. Her expertise is stress management and relaxation therapy. She sees people experiencing anxiety, depression, stress and burnout, grief and loss issues, adjustment issues, sleep problems, and people who have experienced trauma.

Lisa is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and a registered provider with NDIS.

Julie Walker – Provisional Psychologist is a recent mature age graduate of Deakin University. Julie has been teaching Yoga and Meditation for over 20 years and prior to studying Psychology worked in her own private practice as a massage, bodywork and breath therapist.

Julie has experience in treating a wide variety of mental health difficulties including depression, anxiety & psychotic illness. She is particularly interested in assisting clients with relationship and social issues and has undertaken extensive training with two of Australia’s leading social and relationship psychologists Dr. Gery Karantzas and Dr. Jennifer Fitzgerald. Julie delivers a feedback informed client centred approach and draws from a variety of therapeutic modalities including Solution Focused and Strength-Based approaches, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) & Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT).

Julie’s expertise is working with clients to attain a connection to a life that is empowered & mindful. She is an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and currently consults with participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (the NDIS) and participants of the Victorian Counselling and Psychological Services (VCPS).

Julie is also available to see private clients for individual treatment and couples for relationship counselling.

Nicole Kearns – Psychologist has a Master of Psychology (Clinical) and provides a range of psychological assessment and treatment services to children, adolescents and adults.

Nicole has experience in educational and cognitive assessments, and working with children, adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as their parents/guardians. Nicole also has experience in suicide prevention and high prevalence mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma and personality disorders. Nicole takes a person-centred, strengths-based approach, informed by feedback from each client. Techniques used include cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and motivational interviewing.

Nicole is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), and an associate member of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists.

Lee Palmer – Psychologist began her psychology studies as a mature-age student after a period as a Lifeline volunteer. She has worked extensively in telephone counselling for addictions including drugs and alcohol, gambling and smoking.

Lee completed a Master of Clinical Psychology degree in 2010, and has since worked as an addiction counsellor with a focus on problem gambling and mental health. She has particular interests in wellness and growth, healthy relationships, recovery from trauma, mindfulness, and group therapy, particularly psychodrama. Lee is a full member of the Australian Psychological Society and an associate member of the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Psychodrama Association.

John Alder – Counselling & Developmental Psychologist – Working with people experiencing anxieties and/or depression, often associated with confronting or confusing life events (eg. career change, conflict/abuse in relationships and loss of capacities) are some particular areas of John’s expertise. He assists people “re-construct” their identity and/or relationship/s using: a strong therapeutic alliance in sessions; emotional awareness (to help inform self-identity and intimacy/bonds in relationship/s) and creating alternative thinking and behavioural habits (practiced in sessions and in home/workplace trials).

He works with people experiencing:
Anxiety – general, social/interpersonal or personal/performance
Depression – avoidance, withdrawal or lethargy
Career Doubts – sense of direction, frustration or reviews
Self Development needs – assertiveness, identity and expressiveness
Conflict – career, relationship or family communications and/or planning
Adjustments – in work (RTW) rehabilitation, transitions to retirement/care